Thread feeding mechanism



Dec. 10, 1935.

F. CHATFIELD 2,023,515

THREAD FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 24, 1932 e Sheets-Sheet '1 FRANKLINCHATFIELD ATTOHNLYS 1935- F. CHATFIELD THREAD FEEDING MECHANISM '6Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 24, 1932 INVENTOR FRANKLIN CHATFIELD y MMMATTORNEY5 Dec. 10, 1935- F. CHATFIELD THREAD FEEDING MECHANISM Filed001;. 24, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR F RANHLJN CHATF'IELD f, 3

lllHlllllll l ATT'O RNBY5 THREAD FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 24, 1932 eShets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR FRANKLIN CHATF'IEL-D By" 5 W 4 MM ATTQRNEYS I0,1935. F. CHATFIELD THREAD FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 24, 1932 6Sheets-Sheet 5 D 015 mm M w T... 0 EA T v T N WA N U W K 6 WM F PatentedDec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 24, 1932,Serial No. 639,248

14 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in thread feedingmechanisms.

To produce an even fabric made of elastic threads or material, andparticularly when a plurality of threads are being simultaneouslyknitted into the fabric, it is essential that some method be used thatwill deliver all of the threads to the fabric-making machine at an eventension. In the mechanism herein disclosed, a separate tension device isprovided for each thread, and each such tension device comprises twoor'more relatively fixed guides through'which the threads are fed-andsuitable weighted members of uniform weight, have running connectionswith the threads between said fixed guides and are floatingly supportedthereon whereby the tension in said threads will be equalized, andwhereby said tension may well be termed a floating tension.

An object of the invention is to provide a thread feeding mechanismadapted for use to feed a thread from a holder and delivering it to asuitable receiving means at a predetermined tension.

A further object is to provide a mechanism for feeding a plurality ofthreads, yarns, and like materials from a holder and delivering them toa suitable receiving means, such as a knitting machine, at apredetermined tension.

A further object is to provide a thread feeding and tensioning mechanismcomprising means for feeding threads from a plurality of holders to asuitable receiving means at a predetermined tension, and whereby thetension in the various threads will be equalized.

A further' object is to provide a mechanism adapted for use inconnection with a fabric-making machine to feed a plurality of threadsthereto at a predetermined tension, and whereby the tension in thevarious threads will be equalized, and said mechanism having anoperative connection with-the clutch operating mechanism of the machinewhereby, when a portion of thread in abnormal condition passes throughsaid feeding mechanism, the latter will be actuated to cause said clutchoperating mechanism to automatically interrupt the operation of thefabric-making machine.

A further object is to provide a threaded feeding and tensioningmechanism adapted for automatically feeding a plurality of threads to aknitting machine at a predetermined and equalized tension, and saidmechanism comprising a stop device having an operative connection withthe knitting machine, and including a plurality of pivoted membersthrough which the threads pass from the usual thread holders, and saidpivoted members being adapted to be actuated by knots, snarls, or otherdefects in the threads, whereby said stop device will be actuated andthereby automatically cause interruption of the knitting machine. 5 Afurther object is to provide a mechanism of the class describedcomprising a pluralityof pairs of feed rolls adapted to feed threads oryarns to a knitting machine, and a pivoted thread tension member beingoperatively associated with 10 each pair of rollers and having a runningconnection with the thread fed therefrom, whereby said members will beactuated and thereby control the thread-feeding action of said rollers,and said thread tension member also being operatively 15 connected witha stop device which, in turn, is connected with the usual clutch controlmechanism of the knitting machine, whereby when an abnormal movement isimparted to said tension member in either direction, said stop devicewill 20 be actuated to cause operation of said clutch control mechanismwhereby the knitting machine and said feeding and tensioning mechanismwill automatically come to rest.

A further object is to provide a mechanism of the class describedcomprising a plurality of feed rollers arranged in pairs, and each pairbeing adapted to feed a thread from a suitable holder to a knittingmachine, and one rollerlof each pair of rollers being mounted formovement to- 30 wards and away from its complemental roller to controlthe feeding of the thread therefrom, and a plurality of cams beingprovided for relatively moving said movable rollers, and each cam havinga. member connected therewith which has 35 running connections with thethreads fed from said rollers, whereby said members may be actuated bythe threads and thereby control the thread-feeding action of said feedrollers, and astop device being operatively connected with the 40 usualclutch control mechanisms of the knitting machine and comprising an armhaving a dog normally retaining it in inoperative position, and said dogbeing adapted to be actuated by an abnormal movement of any one of saidmembers, whereby said arm will be released and cause actuation of saidclutch control mechanism with the resultant interruption of the knittingmachine and said feeding and tensioning mechanism.

A further object is to provide a thread feeding and tensioning mechanismcomprising a plurality of feed rollers, and each pair of said rollersbeing adapted to feed a thread from a suitable holder towards a suitablereceiving means such as a knitting machine, and a pivoted thread tensionmember being provided for each thread and adapted to be actuated byvariations in the tension in said threads to cause the threads to bedelivered to the knitting machine at a predetermined tension, and meansalso being provided in connection with said tension members forautomatically increasing the tension in the threads at intervals.

A further object is to provide a thread feeding and tensioning mechanismcomprising a plurality of thread feeding units having a common drive,and said units being adapted to independently control the feeding of thethreads from suitable holders and delivering them at a predeterminedtension to a suitable receiving means, and whereby the tensions in thevarious threads will be substantially equalized.

A further object is to provide a feeding and tensioning mechanism forfeeding elastic threads from a holder and delivering them to a suitablereceiving means at a predetermined tension, and having means-forsubstantially equalizing the stretch of said threads when delivered tothe receiving means.

A further object is to provide a thread feeding and tensioning mechanismcomprising a pair of feed rollers having means associated therewith forautomatically separating them when a knot, snarl, or other defect in thethread passes through the feeding mechanism, whereby the thread will notbe cut as it passes between said rollers, and means also being providedfor actuating said rollers to automatically control the feeding of thethread therefrom to the knitting machine.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in theannexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objectsof the invention, but it is tobe understood that the invention is not confined to the exactfeaturesshown as various changes may be made within the scope of theclaims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the thread feeding andtensioning mechanism operatively connected with a knitting machine ofconventional form;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view, partially in section, showing thepivoted thread tension member and the stop mechanism provided forautomatically interrupting operation of the knitting machine, in theevent of abnormal feeding of the thread through the mechanism, and alsoshowing the arm of the stop device in its normal position in engagementwith the locking dog thereof; a

Figure 3 is a detail viewshowing the member or arm of the stopdevicereleased, whereupon the connection between said arm and the clutchcontrol mechanism of the knitting machine has been actuated toautomatically render the knitting machine and the feeding mechanisminoperative, and also showing one of the pivoted members being actuatedby a knot or slugin the thread to thereby cause the dog to be actuatedto release the stop arm;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, partially in elevation, showingthe parts in their normal operative positions;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 5,showing only a portion of the mechanism;

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view substantially on the line 6-6 ofFigure 4, showing one of the pivoted members through which the threadspass 5 from the holder to the feed rollers of the thread feedingmechanism;

Figure '7 is a plan view of Figure 4, showing only a portion of themechanism;

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 10 8---& of Figure 1,showing the arm adapted to be actuated by the usual cam wheel of theknitting 'machine to cause the automatic operation of an auxiliarytensioning means provided in connection with the thread tensioningmechanism; 15 Y Figure 9 is a detail view showing a tension armparticularly applicable for light, fine threads;

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view showing a modified construction;

Figure 11 is a detail elevational view partially 20 in section showingthe arrangement of the feed rollers illustrated in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a plan view of Figure 10 on a smaller scale; v

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view on the 25 line l3-|3 of, Figure11, showing a means for relatively adjusting one of the feed rollerswith respect to its complemental roller; and

Figure 14 is a diagrammaticview illustrating a means for driving thefeedrollers of the con- 30 struction illustrated in Figure 10.

The novel thread feeding andtensioning mechanism herein disclosed isshown comprising a pair of end frames 2 which may be supported uponsuitable uprights 3, as indicated in Figure 35 1. Suitable rods 4 areshown having their upper ends secured to the end frames 2 and have theirlower 'ends secured to cross members 5 adapted to support a suitableplate 6, upon which the usual thread holders 1 are mounted in the 40usual manner.

When this 'novel thread feeding and tensioning inechanismisusedinconnection with a circular knitting machine, a separate mechanism isprovided for each thread whereby each thread deliv- 4 ered to theknitting machine ,will be provided with an independent feeding andtensioning mechanism. These mechanisms preferably have a common drive,but their thread-feeding actions are independently controlled by thetravel of the 50 threads therethrough, so that they may omrateindependently of one another whereby all of the threads may be deliveredto the knitting machine at a predetermined tension and also whereby thetension in all of the threads fed to the knitting 55 machine may besubstantially equalized. As the thread feeding and tensioning mechanismfor each thread is assembled as a unit, and because of the several unitsbeing alike in construction, but one such unit will be described indetail.

Each unit comprises a bracket 8, shown secured to a pair, of rods 9having their ends suitably secured in the end frame members 2 by suchmeans as nuts H, received in threaded engagement with the ends of therods, as shown in Figure '7. Suitable spacing sleeves l2 and I3 may beprovided upon the rods 9 between the end frame members 2 and theadjacent brackets 8,- and also between adjacent brackets, whereby theentire apparatus may be secured together as a unitary structure.

A shaft I4 is mounted in suitable bearings I! provided in the end frames2, and also passes through alinedbearings l6 provided in the brackets 8of said .units. A suitable pulley I1 is shown secured to one end of theshaft l4 whreeby the shaft may be driven by means of a belt l8 connectedwith a suitable source of power, not shown.

Each unit has a feed roller I9 secured to the shaft M for rotationtherewith. The roller I9 is shown provided at one end with a gear 2|which meshes with a pinion 22 provided at one end of a relativelysmaller feed roller 23, rotatably mounted upon a stud 24 secured to anarm 25 supported at one end upon a pivot 26 secured to the bracket 8., Apin 21 is secured to the opposite end of the arm 25 and has a smallantifriction wheel 28 mounted thereon which peripherally engages a camwheel 29 secured to a pin 3| provided upon one end of an arm 32, the

opposite end of which is pivotally supported upon the bracket 8 by meansof a. pivot 33. The opposite end of the pin 3| projects laterally fromthe arm 32 and has one end of a spring 34 connected therewith. Theopposite end of the spring 34 is connected to a screw or pin 35 securedto the bracket 8, whereby a force will constantly be exerted upon thearm 32 to move the roller 23 into peripheral engagement with the rollerH). An adjusting screw 36 is received in threaded engagement with a lug31 provided upon th bracket 8, and has its lower end positioned to be.engaged by the pin 3| to thereby limit the upward movement of the roller23. A suitable lock screw 38 provides means for locking the. adjustingscrew 36 in adjusted position. By means of the adjusting screw 36, thegap between the'peripheries of the feed rollers l9 and 23 may be variedto adapt the apparatus for feeding threads of difierent diameters orsizes. 7

,A pair of thread tensioningdisks.39, of ordinary construction, areshown supported upon a stud 40 directly .back of the feed rollers l9 and23, and between these tension disks the thread is 'fed from the threadholder 1, shown in Figure 1.

A suitable guide 4| is shown positioned between the tension disks 39 andthe thread holder 1, as will be noted by reference to Figure 4.

Means is provided for automatically moving the feed roller 23 towardsand away from the feed roller Hi to automatically control the feeding ofthe thread from said rollers. Such means is shown consisting of atension arm 42 having one end secured to the cam 29 and having itsopposite end provided with an eye or guide 43 through which the threadpasses from a similar guide 44 provided upon a supporting member 45having its ends supported by suitable means such as rods 46, secured tothe end frame members 2, as will readily be understood by reference toFigures 2, 4, and 7. A similar guide 41 is secured in a similarsupporting'member 48 which also is,-

supported by the rods 46, as shown in Figure 7. The guides 44 and 41 aresubstantially horizontally alined with the gap between the feed rollersl9 and 23, and the movable guide 43 carried by the tension arm 42 isarranged as shown in Figure 4, so that the thread feeds from the feedrollers through the guide 44, thence downwardly through the guide 43 ofthe tension arm 42, and then threugh the guide 41, from which it leadsto the usual knitting machine, generally indicated by the numeral 69 inFigure 1.

Small weights 46' may be suitably mounted upon the arms 62, as shown inFigure 4, whereby the effective weights of said arms may be variedaccording to the tension desired.

Means is provided for automatically interrupting the operation of theknitting machine in the event that the thread is'in abnormal conditionwhen it passes through the thread feeding and tensioning mechanism as,for example, if it contains a defect such as a knot or snarl. In otherwords, should the thread accidentally break, or should it becomeentangled with a portion of the mechanism as a result of having a knotor snarl therein, then the thread feeding mechanism will be actuated toautomatically cause interruption of the knitting machine, which willremain inop- 1o erative until an attendant has removed the trouble andrestored the thread to its normal condition. The means provided for thusinterrupting the operation of the knitting machine is shown comprising ashaft 56 mounted in the end frame members 2 and having a member securedthereto provided with oppositely extending arms 5| and 52,, the formerhaving an off-set end portion 53 positioned in the path of the tensionarm 42 so that, in the event that the latter drops to the dotted lineposition A in Figure 4, it will engage and actuate the arm 5| andthereby relatively rotate the shaft 56 in its bearings. The opposite armportion 52 has an ofi-set end portion 54 adapted to be engaged by a pin55 secured to the cam 29, when the tension arm 42 is raised to thedotted line position B in Figure 4. It will thus be seen that when thetension arm moves to either of its extreme positions A or B, asindicated in Figure 4, the shaft 56 will be rocked in its bearings totherebycause actuation ot a stop device which is next to be described.It is to be understood that when the mechanism is operating normally,the tension arm 42 usually has a relatively short movement at a pointsubstantially midway between the extreme positions A and B, and does notreach said extreme positions unless an abnormal condition occurs in thefeeding of the thread through the mechanism.

The stop device is best shown in Figures 2 and 3 and comprises 'an arm56mounted for pivotal movement upon a stud 51 secured to one of the endframe members 2. A spring 58 is shown having one end connected to theupper end of the arm 51 and has its opposite end connected to a pin 59secured to the frame 2, whereby the spring constantly tends to swing thelower portion of the arm 56 from the position shown in Figure 2 to thatshown in Figure 3. A-dog 6| is supported upon a pivot 62 and has an arm63 extending downwardly from the pin 62 to which one end of a spring 64is connected, the opposite end of which is secured to an adjusting screw65, mounted in a stud 16 secured to the end frame 2. The spring 64constantly tends to movethe d'og 6| into locking engagement with thelower end of the arm 56 and normally retains it in the position shown inFigure 2. v

The arm 56 is operatively connected with the usual clutch controlmechanism of the knitting machine, generally indicated by the numeral 66in Figure 1. This clutch control mechanism is shown provided with apivoted arm 61 which, when moved to the dotted line position indicated,will cause the clutch operating mechanism of the knitting machine tobecome inoperative, whereupon the knitting machine will come to rest.The clutch control mechanism is well-known in the knitting machine artand it is therefore thought unnecessary to herein show and describe thesame 70 in detail. In order that the arm 61 of the clutch controlmechanism may be actuated when the arm 56 of the stop device isoperated, these two arms are shown operatively connected together by asuitable connection 68 which may be in the form of a light cord orthread, as very little efiort is required to actuate the arm 61 of theclutch control mechanism.

To cause actuation of the arm 56 of the stop device, the dog BI isoperatively connected with the shaft 50 by means of an arm 69 having aconnection. II connecting it with the depending arm 63 of the dog 6|. Bythusconnecting the dog 6| with the shaft 50, when the latter is rotated'as a result of the tension arm 42 engaging one or the other of theoff-set arm portions 53 or 54, said dog will be moved out of engagementwith the lower end of the arm 56, whereupon the spring 58 will cause thearm to be moved to the position shown in Figure 3, with the result thatthe arm 6'! of the clutch control mechanism will be actuated to causeinterruption of the knitting. machine. In practice, the thread feedingand tensioning mechanism is preferably driven from a suitable pulleyprovided upon the knitting machine so that when the latter isinterrupted, the thread feeding. and tensioning mechanism will also cometo rest.

By thus operatively connecting the shaft 50 with the dog 6|, it will benoted that whenever the tension arm 42 moves to the position indicatedat A'in Figure 4, which'might result if the thread should accidentallybreak, or the end of the thread pass through the feed rollers l9 and 23,then the arm 56 will be released, whereupon the clutch control mechanismof the knitting machine will be actuated to interrupt the latter. Inlike manner, if the tension arm 42 is moved to the dotted line positionB, which might occur if the thread should become entangled so as tocause an abnormal pull to be exerted thereon, then the arm 56 will againbe released to cause interruption of the entire apparatus. It will thusbe seen that if the thread breaks, or an abnormal pull is exertedthereon, the tension arm 42 will be actuated to cause the release of thearm 56, whereupon the clutch control mechanism of the knitting machinewill be operated to automatically interrupt operation of the knittingmachine.

Means is also provided for interrupting the knitting machine and thethread feeding and tensioning mechanism in the event that the threadbecomes snarled or kinked between the thread holder 1 and the tensiondisks 39. Such means is best shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4 and comprisesa pivoted member I2 secured to a shaft 13 having its end portionssupported in suitable bearings provided in the end frame members 2. Themember 12 has a key slot 14 at its outer end, through which the threadpasses from the guide 4|, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 6.The reduced portion of the key slot 14 is normally positioned directlyover the opening in the guide 4| so that the thread normally passestherethrough. Should the thread contain a knot, or a snarl, or a kink,as indicated at 15 in Figure 3, then the pivoted member 12 may beelevated because of said knot, snarl, or kink being unable to passfreely through the slot 14 provided in the member 12. Such actuation ofthe member 12 will cause the shaft 13 to be rocked in its bearingsactuated by the shaft 13, the connection ll between the lower end'of thearm 63 of the dog and the arm 69 secured to the shaft 50, has a slidingconnection with the arm 63, whereby the dog may be readily actuated bythe cam face 76 of 5 the shaft 13, when. a knot in the thread engagesthe pivoted member [2. Suitable stops H and 18 may be provided to limitthe swinging movements of the arm 56 and dog 6|, respectively, as shownin Figure 2. The shaft 50 extends the full width of the mechanism andsupports all of the arms 5| and 52 of the thread feeding and tensioningunits, so that regardless of which thread breaks or becomesunnecessarily taut, the knitting machine will be automaticallyinterrupted In like manner, all of the pivoted members 12 are supportedupon the shaft 13' so that regardless of which one is actuated, the arm56 will be released to cause the actuation of the clutch control mech-20 anism and the resultant interruption of the knitting machine and thethread feeding and tensioning mechanism. A suitable spring 19 is shownhaving one end connected to a pin 81 .secured to the shaft 13, andhaving its opposite end con- 'nected with a pin 82, which may be securedto one of the end frames 2', The spring 19 acts to constantly hold themembers 12 in engagement with their respective guides 4|, as shown inFigure 4. The novel thread feeding and tensioning mechanism hereindisclosed has been found very useful in connection with knittingmachines to control the feeding of the thread or yarn thereto, as itprovides means for positively controlling the tension of the thread oryarn sothat it will be delivered to the knitting machine at apredetermined tension. It has also been found particularly applicablefor handling elastic threads or yarns such as are now commonly used inthe manufacture of various kinds of knit fabrics. Such elastic threadsor yarns are more or less diflicult to feedto the knitting machine sothat they will be delivered thereto at a predetermined tension; becauseof the inherent characteristic of the thread to stretch. Theconstruction of the thread feeding and tensioning mechanism herein setforth is such that the mechanism readily lends itself for use to feedsuch threads to a knitting machine, or other receiving means, at apredetermined tension, and also whereby the tension in all of thevarious threads delivered to the receiving means may be equalized. Themechanism is very sensitive in operation and is controlled entirely bythe traveling movement of the thread therethrough.

When handling very light and delicate threads or yarns, it is sometimesdesirable that additional means may be added in connection with themechanism hereinbefore described, whereby any excess slack or loosenesswhich may appear in the thread as a result of kinks'or loops, and whichmay accidentally pass through the machine, may be taken upautomatically, so that the thread may be delivered to the knittingmachine or other 5 receiving means at a predetermined tension.

In Figure 9 I have shown a device capable of taking up excess slack orlooseness in the thread after it leaves the feed rollers l9 and 23, Suchmeans consists of providing a plurality of guides or eyes 83, 84, and 85upon suitable supporting members 86, 81, and 88 and have their endssuitably secured to the supporting rods 46 in the manner shown anddescribed with reference to the members 45 and 48, shown in Figure 7'.The

guides 83, 84, and 85 are spaced apart as shown, and a plurality ofsimilar guides 89 and 9| are secured to a tension arm 92 which issecured to the cam 29 in the same manner as the tension arm 42 shown inFigure 4. The thread or yarn is threaded through the guides 83, 84, 85,89, and 9| in the manner shown in Figure 9, whereby the amount of slacktaken up by the oscillatory movement of the arm 92 will be substantiallyequal to twice that taken up by the movement of the tension arm 42,shown in Figure 4.

Figures 10 to 14, inclusive, illustrate a modified construction whereinthe horizontally disposed feed rollers I9 and 23 have been eliminatedand, in lieu thereof, a pair of vertically disposed feed rollers 93 and94 have been provided. The feed rollers 93 and 94 preferably have theirperipheries slightly tapered, as clearly illustrated in Figure 11, andhave their upper corners beveled ofi, as indicated at 95. The rollers 93and 94 are shown rotatably mounted upon the upper ends of rods 96 and91, the lower ends of which are received in suitable apertures provideda supporting bar 99, and in which apertures the rods are secured bysuitable pins 99. The upper ends of the rods are supported in a suitablebar IIII which, like the bar 98, has its ends suitably secured to a pairof end frame members H3. The rod 91 is preferably immovably supported inthe bars 98 and IIII, andthe rod 95 has its upper end guidinglysupported in a slot I 02 provided in the supporting bar IIII, wherebythe rod 96 may be relatively moved in a direction towards or away fromthe fixed rod 97. A suitable set screw I03 is received in a threadedsocket provided in one edge of the supporting bar IIII and has a taperedterminal I04 engaging the rod 96 to thereby limit the movement thereofin a direction towards the fixed rod III, as shown in Figure 13. Byrelatively rotating the adjusting screw I03, the gap I05 providedbetween the rollers 93 and 94 may be varied to accommodate the feedingmechanism for different sizes of threads. A suitable spring IDS isinterposed between the upright rods 96 and 91 and normally holds the rodor shaft 96 in engagement with the terminal I 04- of the adjusting screwI03. In the present instance, the rollers 93 and 94 are shown providedwith annular grooves III'I adjacent their lower ends adapted to receivea belt I08 which may be driven by a pulley I09 provided with a suitabledriving means, not shown. If desired, therollers 93' and 94 may bedriven by other suitable means, such as gearing, in lieu of the beltI08.

A tension arm III is secured to a shaft H2 having its ends supported inthe end frame members II 3, and this tension arm has a guide I I4 at itsouter end adapted to receive the thread from a guide H5. From themovable guide H4, the thread passes through a guide HE, from whence itleads to the knitting machine. The guides I I5 and I I6 are supportedbetween horizontal rods III in a manner similar to the guides 4-5 and41, shown in Figure 4.

In the form shown in Figures and 11, the tension arm II I has its innerend secured to a suitable hub H8 which is bored to receive the shaft H2.A pin H9 is also secured to the hub I I8 and is adapted to engageanofiset arm I2I secured to a shaft I22. The offset arm I2I may bemade'from a suitable wire coiled about the shaftI22 and has an oppositeend portion I2I projecting outwardly and normally positioned to beengaged by the tension arm III, when the latter moves to the dotted lineposition A in Figure 3. The shaft I22 is connected to a stop devicesimilar to that shown and described with reference to the previousfigures.

The means for guiding the thread into the gap 5 between the verticalfeed rollers 93 and 94 is clearly shown in Figure 10, and comprises avertically, disposed member I23 having a head I 24 apertured to receivethe thread. The member I23 is adapted for up-and-down movement, 10 whichmovement is controlled entirely by the oscillations of the tension armIII. To thus control the operation of the member I23, the latter isprovided with a suitable aperture adapted to receive one end of a pinI26 having its opposite end secured to the periphery of the hub H8secured to the shaft H2. Because of the pin I26 being secured to the hubH8, each time the latter is relatively moved by the action of thetension arm III, a vertical movement will be imparted to the member I23which will cause the thread to be relatively moved up or down as it isguided between the feed rollers 93? and 94, whereby the feeding actionof the thread through the mechanism is controlled. The 25 thread, beforereaching the head I24, passes through the guide 4I, pivoted member I2,andtension disks 39, as shown in Figure 10. The member I2, ashereinbefore stated, is provided with a key slot I4, and the threadnormally passes through the restricted portion of said slot, so thatwhen a portion of thread contains a knot, snarl, 01' other defect, saidknot or snarl will engage the pivoted member I2 and swing it upwardly tothe position shown in' Figure 3, whereupon the clutch control mechanismof the knitting machine will be automatically actuated by the release ofthe arm 55, as hereinbefore described.

The result obtained by the operation of the 40 mechanism shown inFigures 10 to 14, inclusive, is substantially the same as that obtainedby the use of the mechanism disclosed in the previous figures. In theconstruction shown in Figures 10 to 14, the feed rolls 93 and 94 are notadapted for relative movement towards and away from one another duringthe normal operation of the machinev In the construction here shown, toobtain the desired feeding action of the thread, the latter is moved ina vertical plane between the peripheries of the two feed rollers by theoscillatory movement of the tension arm- III. Thus, when the threadfeeding from the feed rolls becomes a little taut, the tension arm I IImay be moved upwardly to the dotted line position B whereupon the headI24 of the member I23 will be moved downwardly and cause the thread tobecome frictionally engaged with the peripheries of the constantlyrotating feed rollers 93 and 94, as a result of the peripheries thereofbeing tapered.

When the thread is thus moved into frictional engagement with therollers 93 and 94, it will be positively fed in a direction towards theguides H5 and H6, whereby the thread may be automatically delivered tothe knitting machine or other receiving means, at a predetermined ten-.sion. Should the thread accidentally become broken in passing throughthe feeding and tensioning mechanism, then the tension arm I I I willdrop to the dotted line position A and engage the arm I21 secured to theshaft I22, thereby causing the stop device to be actuated in the mannershown and described with reference to the previous figures. In likemanner, when the tension arm I II is moved upwardly to the dotted lineposition B, the pin 9 will engage the arm I2I which also will cause theshaft I22 to be rocked in its bearing, with the result that it willcause the dog 6| to move out of engagement with the arm 55 and cause theclutch control mechanism of the knitting machine to be actuated torender said machine inoperative.

In the manufacture of knit fabrics, it is desirable at times to vary thetension in the threads, and in the mechanism herein disclosed, I haveprovided means whereby the tension may be automatically variedperiodically during the operation of the knitting machine. To thusautomatically increase the tension in the thread, there is shown inFigures 1, 2, and 4, a device adapted to exert a slight downward forceupon the tension arm 42 to thereby increase the tension in the thread asit passes through the guide 43 at the outer end of said arm.

The device above referred to, is shown comprising a shaft I28 mounted insuitable bearings provided in the end frame members 2. A small arm I29is secured to the shaft I28 and has a spring I3I connecting it with anarm I32, shown secured to the cam 29 to which the tension arm 42 issecured. A small rod or arm I33 is secured to one end of the shaft I28and has a connection I34, which may be in the form of a small cord orthread, connecting it with an arm I35 provided upon the knitting machine43. The connection I34 is shown passing through an eye I36 provided uponthe frame I31 of the knitting macine, diagrammatically indicated inFigure 8.

The arm I35 is adapted to be actuated by a series of cams I3I providedupon a cam wheel I38 secured to a shaft l39 adapted to be intermittentlyactuated by the usual well-known ratchet mechanism of the knittingmachine. The arm I35 is yieldingly maintained in engagement with the camwheel I38 by a suitable spring, not

. shown. The spring for holding the arm I35 in a position to cause thecam wheel on the lower end of the arm I35 to ride on the periphery ofthe cam wheel I38, is a part of the knitting machine and is well-knownand it is therefore thought unnecessary to herein show and describe thesame. The operation of the shaft I33 is controlled by movement of theusual pattern chain I48, and by means of the cams I31, the arm I35 maybe caused to operate at intervals to exert a slight downward force uponthe tension arm I32, whereby the tension in the thread is increased. Thearm I35, cams I3'I, cam wheel -l38, shaft I39, and pattern chain I48,are wellknown in the knitting machine art, and it is therefore thoughtunnecessary to herein show and describe the'same in detail.

The mechanism above described for automatically increasing the tensionin the thread periodically, readily lends itself for use in connectionwith the novel thread feeding and tensioning mechanism herein disclosed,and cooperates therewith to provide a mechanism which is capable ofpositively delivering the thread to the knitting machine at apredetermined tension, and whereby the tension of the various threadsdelivered :to the knitting machine may be substantially equalized, andalso whereby the tension in the threads may be automatically increasedfrom time to time, depending upon the arrangement of the cams I31 uponthe cam wheel I38.

I claim as my invention:

1. A thread feeding mechanism adapted to feed a thread from a holder toa suitable receiving means at a predetermined tension, said mechanismcomprising a pair of cylindrical feed rollers, a pivoted arm supportingone of said rollers,

a cam element for actuating said arm to control 5 the feeding action ofthe rollers upon the thread, and a tension member secured to said camelement and having a running connection with the thread, wherebyvariation in the tension of the thread will oscillate said arm andthereby con- 10 trol the feeding action of the rollers.

2. A thread feeding mechanism adapted to feed a thread from a holder toa suitable receiving means at a predetermined tension, said mechanismcomprising a pair of cylindrical feed roll- 15 ers,.an arm pivotallysupported at one end and supporting one of said rollers, a cam elementengaging the opposite end of said arm, and a tension member having oneend secured to the element and its opposite end engaged with the 20thread, whereby the tension in the thread will oscillate said tensionmember and thereby actuate the arm to control the feeding action of thefeed rollers.

3. A thread feeding mechanism adapted to feed 25 a thread from a holderto a suitablev receiving means at a predetermined tension, saidmechanism comprising a frame, a pair of cylindrical feed rollers, an armhavingoneend pivotally supported on the frame and having its opposite 30end adapted for limited swinging movement, one

" of said feed rollers being carried by said arm intermediate its ends,a second arm having one end pivoted to the frame and disposed insubstantially parallel relation to said first mentioned arm 35 andhaving a cam element at its opposite end engaging the first mentionedarm, tension means yieldably holding said cam element in engagement withthe upper arm, and a tension member secured to the cam element andhaving a run- 40 ning connection with the thread, whereby variations inthe tension of the thread will cause actuation of the upper arm andthereby control the feeding action of the feed rollers.

4. A thread feeding mechanismadapted to 45 feed a thread from a holderand delivering it to a suitable receiving means at a predeterminedtension, said mechanism comprising a pair of cylindrical feed rollers,a'movable tension memat a predetermined tension, said mechanismcomprising a. pair of feed rollers between which the thread travels, apivoted arm for supporting one of said feed rollers, a pivoted tensionmember having a running connection with the thread whereby variations inthe tension or elasticity of the thread may oscillate said member, andeccentric means operatively connecting said tension member with saidsupporting arm, whereby oscillation of said tension member willcause'the feed roller associated therewith to be moved into or out offeeding engagement with the thread, whereby the thread is delivered tothe receiving means at a constant tension, regardless of inherentvariation in the stretch or elongation of the thread.

6. The/combination with a knitting machine having a clutch controlmechanism for controlling the operation thereof, of a thread feedingmechanism operatively connected with said knitting machine andcomprisingmeans for feeding a plurality of threads from holders anddelivering them to said knitting machine at a predetermined tension, astop device having an operative connection with said clutch controlmechanism, a tension member for each thread, a shaft having an operativeconnection with said stop device, a plurality of elements secured tosaid shaft and each positioned to be engaged by one of said tensionmembers, said tension members having running connections with saidthreads whereby variations in the tension of said threads will oscillatesaid tension members, independently of one another, said tension membersbeing adapted to engage their respective elements, upon abnormal travelthereof in either direction, whereby said shaft will be operated torelease said stop device and cause actuation of said clutch controlmechanism and interruption of the knitting machine, and a second shafthaving an operative connection with said stop device and providedwith aplurality of arms each having a running connection with a thread, eachof said arms being adapted to be actuated by a defect in the thread andthereby cause said shaft to rotate and operate said stop device with theresultant actuation of said clutch control mechanism and the subsequentinterruption of the knitting machine.

7. In a thread feeding mechanism, a plurality of thread feeding unitseach comprising a pair of vertically disposed tapered rollers, shaftssupporting said rollers, means whereby the spacing between theperipheries of said rollers may be varied, a guide for directing thethread between said rollers, a pivoted tension member for each unithaving one-end engaged with its respective thread and supported thereon,means connecting said tension members with their respective guidemembers, whereby the latter are moved with respect to the feed rollers,when said tension members are oscillated, thereby to vary the feedingaction of the rollers upon the thread, and a drive for said unitscomprising a flexible element having running connections with therollers of each unit, and whereby the rollers of each unit will rotatein opposite directions.

8. In a thread feeding mechanism, a plurality of substantiallyhorizontally alined thread guides, a pair of tapered rollers interposedbetween certain of said guides, one of said guides being movable torelatively change the position of the thread in a direction lengthwiseof said rollers, to thereby vary the feeding action of the rollersthereon, a pivoted tension member having one end floatingly engaged withthe thread between others of said guides to thereby maintain the threadat a constant tension, means operatively connecting the tension memberto said movable thread guide whereby movement of the tension member bythe thread will cause movement of said movable guide, and a singleflexible element for driving said rollers, in opposite directions.

9. The combination with a knitting machine having a clutch controlmechanism for controlling the operation thereof, of a thread feedingmechanism operatively connected with said knitting machine andcomprising a pair of vertically disposed tapered rollers between whichand whereby a thread is fed from a suitable holder to the knittingmachine, a guide for directing the thread between said rollers, apivoted tension member having its swinging end engaged with andsupported on the thread at a point between said rollers and the knittingmachine, to thereby take up slack in the thread and maintain it at aconstant tension, means operatively connecting said guide member withthe tension member whereby said guide member is moved with respect tosaid rollers upon relative movement of .the tension member in eitherdirection, to thereby vary the feeding action of the rollers upon thethread, and a stop mechanism for actuating said clutch mechanism tointerrupt operation of the knitting machine, upon an abnormal conditionof the thread, said stop mechanism comprising a movable element having aslot therein through which the thread travels, and whereby a knot orother defect in the thread will cause actuation of said element, wherebysaid stop mechanism is actuated to automatically render the clutchcontrol mechanism inoperative.

10. In a thread feeding mechanism for knitting machines, a pair ofco-acting feed rolls between which the thread is fed, a pivoted arm forsupporting one of said feed rolls, means for guiding the thread betweensaid rolls, spaced guides for receiving the thread from said feed rolls,a tension member having a running connection with the thread betweensaid spaced guides and floatingly supported thereon, saidtension memberhaving its opposite end suitably secured to an eccentric element havingan operative connection with said supporting arm, whereby when thetension member is oscillated by variations in the tension of the thread,said eccentric element will actuate said arm to thereby vary the feedingaction of said rolls upon the thread.

11. In a thread feeding mechanism for knitting machines, a pair of feedrolls operatively connected together for simultaneous operation,

a pivoted arm for supporting one of said rolls and whereby the spacingbetween. the peripheries of said rolls may be varied, means for guidingthe thread between said rolls, spaced guides for receiving the threadfrom the rolls, a pivoted tension member having a running connectionwith the thread between said spaced guides, means at the pivotal supportof said tension member adapted to oscillate said supporting arm when thetension member is oscillated by varia- .tions in the tension of thethread, relative movement of. said supporting arm varying the spac- 56ing between said rolls, whereby the feeding action thereof on the threadis correspondingly varied,

a stop mechanism on the knitting machine, and a trip for. said stopmechanism comprising a pivoted arm having an aperture therein, throughwhich the thread travels before being delivered to said feed rolls, saidaperture being such that a defect in the thread will actuate said trip.arm and thereby automatically release the trip and cause interruption ofthe knitting machine. 60 12. The-combination with a knitting machinehaving a clutch control mechanism for controlling the operation thereof,of a thread feeding mechanism operatively connected with the knittingmachine and comprising a pair of 00- acting feed rollers for feeding thethread from a holder thereto at a predetermined tension, a pivoted armhaving an operative connection with the clutch control mechanism, meansfor retaining said arm in a position to hold the clutch controlmechanism in clutch operating position, a tension member operativelyassociated with the feed rollers and having a running connection withthe thread, whereby variations in the tension of the thread will controlthe feeding action of the feed rollers, and means connected to said armretaining means and positioned to be engaged by the tension member, uponabnormal travel thereof ineither direction, caused by an abnormalcondition in the feeding action of the thread, whereby a defect or breakin the thread may cause the tension memher to operate said retainingmeans and release said arm, whereby the clutch control mechanism of theknitting machine is released to cause interruption of the knittingmachine.

13. The combination with a knitting machine having a clutch controlmechanism for controlling the operation thereof, of a thread feedingmechanism operatively connected with the knitting machine and comprisinga pair of co-acting feed, rollers for feeding the thread from a holderthereto at a predetermined tension, a pivot-ed arm having an operativeconnection with the clutch control mechanism, a dog for retaining saidarm in a position to hold the clutch control mechanism'in clutchoperating position, a tension member operatively associated with thefeed rollers and having a running connection with the thread, wherebyvariations in the tension of the thread will control the feeding actionof the feed rollers, a rock shaft having an operative connection withsaid dog, and oppositel disposed arms on the rock shaft positioned to beengaged by the tension member, upon abnormal travel thereof in eitherdirection, caused by an abnormal condition in the feeding action of the5 thread, whereby a defect or break in the thread will cause the tensionmember to operate said retaining means and release said arm, whereby theclutch control mechanism of the knitting machine may operate tointerrupt the knitting ma- 10 chine.

14. In a thread feeding mechanism, a pair of tapered feed rollers forfeeding the thread from a holder to a suitable receiving means, alongitudinally movable member for guiding the thread 15 between saidrollers, and a tension member operatively connected to said guide memberand having a running connection with the thread at a point between thefeed rollers and said receiving means, said guide member being actuatedby 20 oscillatory movement of the tension member, caused by variationsin the tension of the thread, whereby the guide member is relativelymoved in an axial direction with respect to the rollers, to therebyincrease or decrease the feeding action :5 of the rollers upon thethread.

FRANKLIN CHATFIELD.

